Episode 1282
Air Date: March 20, 1973
Previous Episode: 1281
Next Episode: 1283
Mister Rogers arrives with a kit for assembling a toy panda after his nephew had asked for a panda to hold. As he stuffs the panda, he sings I Like To Take My Time.
At Elsie Neal's Craft Shop, Mister Rogers meets Bill Strickland -- a potter who demonstrates how a clay pot is made using a potter's wheel. When he leaves, Mister Roges is given some clay by Elsie Neal.
Returning to the house, Mister Rogers finishes the panda toy and decides to give the clay to his nephew, as well.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Bob Dog has found something hiding in the Trolley tunnel. Lady Aberlin is able to kindly coax Purple Panda from the tunnel. He asks to be taken to Lady Elaine Fairchilde who he met when she discovered Planet Purple. Purple Panda informs everyone that Paul and Pauline Purple will be visiting the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
Back at the house, Mister Rogers shares a film about pandas.
Notes
Mister Rogers accidentally drops his jacket on the floor when he tries to hang it in the closet.
As he stuffs the panda toy, Mister Rogers sings a slight variation to I Like To Take My Time: "...to eat, to get dressed, to go to sleep at night. To make a panda, toy for my nephew boy..."
Bob Trow stops by Elsie Neal's Craft Shop while Bill Strickland is making a pot; however, the reason for his visit is never explained.
Appearing In This Episode
- Bob Trow
- Bob Dog
- Cornflake S. Pecially
- Elsie Neal
- Lady Aberlin
- Lady Elaine Fairchilde
- Mister Rogers
- Purple Panda
Guests
- Bill Strickland
Songs
Images

Episode Credits
With Fred Rogers
Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, Elsie Neal, David Nohling, William Strickland, Bob Trow
Panda film by Joe Seamans
Produced and Directed by Bob Walsh
Music Director: John Costa
Produced by Family Communications, Inc. in association with WQED, Pittsburgh
The people who gave the money to make this television visit are the people of The Sears Roebuck Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
© 1972, 1973 Family Communications, Inc.